Switching mechanism for conveyer systems



- 1,512,186 R. AMORY SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR CONVEYER SYSTEMS- Filed Mafch 2 I922 v 5 SheetsSh eet 1 v Get 21 .1924.

' R. AMORY SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR CONVEYER SYSTEMS Filed March 22, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [nUenZOK R. AMORY SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR CONVEYER SYSTEMS :Fileci March 22 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 jnvenior Oct. 21 1924.

R. AMORY SWITCHING MECHATISM FOR CON VEYER SYSTEMS I 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 22, 922- SWITCHING MECHANISM o co vmER' SYSTEMS Filed Mar'bh I922 SSheet s-Shet Q lnvenmf M WWW & y W am .ll atented Get. 21, 1.924.

came stares estates ESPATEN"If QFFEQEQ ROBERT A'MoRY, or MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AssI'GNoR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

To THE LAMSON COMPANY, or sYRAcUsE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION or MASSA- GHUSETTS.

SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR CONVEYER SYSTEMS.

Application filed March 22, 1922. Serial No. 545,702.

(To all it may comm: Be it known that I, ROBERT AMoRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milton,

. in the countyof Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented certain new and use.-

.ful Improvements in Switching Mechanism for Conveyer Systems, of which the followin is a specification.

his inventionvrelates toconveyer systems which have diverging paths or ways along which the carriers or articles being conveye are conducted and which also include automaticmechanismior switching the carriers from one of said-'ways-into another. Themon the conveyer by relatively short distances.

' The invention also aims to improve and perfeet the apparatus shown in my prior application with a view to rendering it more rapid in operation, to increasing the carrying ca-" pacity of the system, and simplifying the construction of the switching means. 7

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus.

constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fi 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus s own in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing another em bodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a view, somewhat diagrammatic, showing the arrangement of one of the switching unitsincl'uded in the apparatus shown in Fig.

indicated in general at D,

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig.5 of another of the switching units shown in Fig. 4;;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the controller arm used in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the switch shown in Fig. 6.

Referrin first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the construction t ere shown comprises a conveyer belt 2 supported on '{a series of rolls 3 which are mounted between angle irons 4-4 that are supported by suitable standards. 'The belt travels in the direction indicated by the arrow, Fig. l, and it may be driven in any convenient manner. conveyer belt 2-is a roller conveyer 5 ,of known construction, this conveyer forming a station into which certain of the carriers being conveyed are diverted.) Before the carriers reach the switching point they pass through an automatic spacin .inechanism, ig. 1, which spaces them apart along the conveyer belt by'at least certain minimum intervals. This spacing mechanism forms the subject matter of a' copending application.

Thecarriers handled by this conveyer I system consist, in the present instance, of

boxes C, Fig. 3. One end of each carrier C is bevelled or inclined, as shown at 7, Fig. 3, and the carriers are placed on the conveyer belt with their square ends forward if the carriers are full, and with their bevelled ends forward if they are empty. Each box is 'marked with the words Full and FEmpty associated with arrows, as shown in Fig. 3,

to aid the workman or attendant in placing the boxes or carriers properly on the conveyer.

.F or the purpose of diverting certain of the carriers C from the, belt 2 onto the branch conveyer or station track 5, a switch 10 is located at the junction of these two conveyer units. .This switch is pivoted on a post 12 mounted at one side of the conveyer belt 2 and is inclined toward the belt so that the switch normally is held by gravity in its diverting or switching position, as

shown in Fig. 1. A stop 13, Fig. 3, limits "the swinging movement of the switch. Normally when one of the carriers C strikes the switch, it is swung by the carrier out of the Diverging from the.

This difference in the end construction of each carrier is utilized in perform- ;mg the automatic switching operation.

i path of movement of the carrier and allows the carrier toproceed along the belt. The switch then returns'by gravity to its initial position.

In order to lock the switch in its switching position when desired, an automatic controlling mechanism is arranged to be operated y. the carriers just before they reach the switch; This mechanism comprises a controller arm 14 overlying the belt 2 and pivoted in the upper end of an upright post 15 to swing in a substantially vertical plane. mounted in suitablebearings to turn about its own axis. The controller arm is fr 2 to swing in a vertical plane without affecting the post, but when subjected to hOIlzontal pressure turns in a horizontal plane turning the post with it. If a full carrler travelling with its square end foremost strikes the controller arm, it swings the arm and the post 15 aboutthe axis of the post, and this movement is transmitted through a link 16, Fig. 3, to a lever 17 on which rests a block 18 carrying an upright pin 19 that projects through one of the angle bars 4. These connections thus operate at this time to raise the pin 19 into a position immedi-' ately behind the free end of the switch 10 where-it locks the switch in its operatlve or switchingposition. Consequently, when the carrier strikes the switch 10, it is di- 10 is left unlocked and the carrier therefore opens the switch and proceeds uninterruptedly along the belt. I

It will now be apparent that this mechanism automatically switches or diverts the full boxes. but does not divert the empty. boxes or carriers. When the station 5 becomes filled with full boxes, the switching -mechanism is rendered inoperative to switch or divert further boxes into the station, and for. this purpose a bell crank lever 22' is mounted just below the conveyer 5 Withone End projecting into' position to be struck eri teredthe station. This lever is connected by a link 23 with one end of a bell crank lever 24, Fig. 3, the other end of which is connected to the lower end of a rod 25 which extends upwardly immediately beside the post 15 The upper-end of this rod projects through a slot 26 formed in the controller arm' 14, and it is provided'with a head 27 that overlies the upper edge of this slot. The. carrier that completes the filling of the station 5 rests on the lever 22, and as it provided which is v The. post is each carrier immediately after it hasstrikes this lever it operates through the ,connections just described to tip the con-I troller arm 14 into its raised position where it is entirely out of the path of travel of the carriers as they move along the belt.

The end of the arm 14 which overlies the belt is weighted, and the weights of the other parts are so disposed that as soon as the carrier which holds the lever 22 depressed rolls down the track out of contact v with the lever, the parts will immediately return by gravity to their normal positions,

as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Obviously springs could be employedto perform this function and also to return the switch to its normal position. It is preferred, how-- ever, to use gravity for this purpose in most instances since it simplifies the construction.

In the arrangement shown in Figs, 1, 2

Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive.

Referring-first to Figs. 4 and 5, the switch 30 is essentially like the switch 10,- above described, and is mounted onan inclined pivot or post 31, (the inclination of the post not appearing in the illustration) so. that it normally is held by gravity in its switching position, a stop 32 limiting the movement of the switch under the-influence of gravity. The switch is normally locked in this position by a locking lever33' which is pivoted at 34 and has a weight 35 on one end thereof tending to hold it in its switch T locking position. A chain 36 and" a link 37 connect the lever 33 with one arm of a bell crank lever 38, the other arm of which, is

connected by a link 39 to an arm 40- pinned on.a post 41 which is mounted to turn and has its upper end bent into a horizontal position, as shown at 42, where it constitutes a controller'arm'corresponding in certain functions to the controller arm 14 above described.

With this arrangement the boxes or car-.

riers small enough to pass under the arm' 42 will be diverted by the switch 30 onto the branch conveyer or station track 43'.

size, however, will strike the controller arm 42 andswing it, this movement being trans- {Either full or empty carriers of the larger 1 mitted through the connections with. the

lever 33, thus rocking the lever in a clockwise direction, Fig. 5, far enough to unlock the switch 30. These'carriers, consequently, are permittedto swing the switch into its open position and travel uninterruptedly along the conveyerbelt 2.,

After passing the switch 30 the carriers approach another switch 45, see Figs. 4 and 6, which is pivotedon an inclined post 46,

(the inclination of which is not shownin the drawings) so that it normally lies across the belt 2 in position to divert the carriers into an inclined chute 47. A stop 48, Fig.

'6, limits the swinging movement of the switch under the influence of gravity. Jormally the switch is heldlocked by a locking.

lever 49 supported and mounted in the same manner as the lever 33, above described, and connected by a chain 50 and link 51 with a bell crank lever 52. This lever-is conr acted by a link 53 with another bell cranir 54 end of the post 46 for up and down movement but is compelled to turn with. the post. This controller arm, its connection with the post 46', and the mounting of the post, are the same asthose above described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The upper end of the rod 55 projects through a curved slot 57 formed in the controller arm 56, and the controller arm bears on a collar 58 secured to the rod 55.

An empty carrier of the construction shown in Fig. 3, upon approaching the switch 45, will strike the controller arm 56, and the bevelled end 7 of the carrier will tip the arm, thus operating through the connections with the locking lever 49 to release the switch. Such a carrier, therefore,

' will immediately strike the switch, open it, 'and continue its travel along the belt 2.

A full carrier, however, upon striking the controller arm 56 will simply turn thisarm and the post 46'about theaxis of the post but will not release the lock 49. Consequently, this-carrier will be diverted into the chute 47 In this arrangement also the boxes small enough to pass under the controller arm 56 will be diverted into the chute assuming, of course, that they have not already been diverted by a switch.

It will now be.appreciated that this invention provides a v'ery simple form of an: tomatic diverting mechanism, the'essential features of which are readily adaptable to a variety of conditions. The various parts of the mechanism are of such rugged construction that there is very little liability of their failing to function properly.' Inasmuch as the switch is controlled by a device located immediately in front of it,

.and since for certain conditions the switch is not required to open, .it will operate sat-. isfactorllyeven when the carriers are spaced at relatively close intervalsjgfon the belt.

= This fact is of great practical importance for the reason that the closer the carriers can run and still hayethe switching mechanism function properly, the greater is the effective carrying capacity of the conveyer.

' It will also-be understood that while I- have herein shown and described the best vembodiment of the invention of which I am at present aware, it may be modified in many particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is: i

1. In a conveyer system having diverging ways for carriers, the combination of a switch for diverting carriers from one of said ways into another, and controlling mechanism for 'said switch comprising a device constructed and arranged to be struck by the carriers before they reach said switch and to be moved alternatively in planes sub stantially' at right angles to' each other by the carriers'according to the partof the carrier engaging said device...

2. In a conveyer system having diverging ways for carriers, the combination of a switch for diverting carriers from one of said ways into another, controlling mechanism for said switch comprising a device constructed and arranged to be struckby the carriers before they reach said switch,

said device being arranged toswing alternatively about a substantially horizontal or a vertical axis when engaged by carriers of different configuration, utilizing certain only of said movements of said device to a'iiect the operation of the switch.

3. In combination with a conveyer system comprising a substantially straight uninterrupted main .track and a branch track diverging therefrom, a pivoted switch device normally positioned to deflect bodies: moving along the conveyer from their normal" path along the main track, releasable means acting upon the free extremity of the switch device for positively retaining said device in normal position, and means actuable by an indicator carried by a body approaching along the conveyer for determining release of said retaining means.

4. Switch mechanism for use'jwith a'conveyer track having a substantially straight uninterrupted main portion and a branch portion diverging from an intermediate'part of tlie main portion comprising a movable switch member normally extending across themain portionof the track for compelling bodies moving along said main portion to diverge laterally therefrom onto the branch, releasable means positively retaining 'such switch member in normal position, and means comprising an element supported independently of said switch member and actuable by an element of a body moving along said track for determining release of such retaining means.

5-. Switch mechanism for use with a conveyer having a substantially straight uninterrupted main track and a branch track diverging from an intermediate point in the main track comprising a pi'votally supported switch member normally extending .diagonally across the main track, releasable switch means positively retaining said member in normal position, and 'feeler means comprising an element supported independently of said switch member and engageable with an Y element of a bodymoving along said track for determining'release of said member by the retammg'means.

6., In a conveyer system having diverging 'ways for carriers, the combination of a "I switch normally in position to divert carriers from one of" said ways into another, saidswitch being mounted to be moved out of said-position by the carriers, means for! operative to transmit other movements of.

' said arm to said means.

7 In a' conveyer system'havi'ng diverging ways for. carriers, the'combination ofa switch-normally in position to divert car-' riers from one of said ways into another, said switch being mounted to be moved out of said position by the carriers, means for locking said switch in'its normal position,

gm echanism for operating said locking meansincluding a controller arm mounted in the path of movement of the carriers before'they reachsaid switch, said arm being mounted to tip up andvdown and toswing n a substantially horizontal plane, and connections for transmitting one of said movements to said locking means to operate it but in'capable of so transmitting the other of said Y movements. y

8. In a conveyer system having diverging ways for carriers, the combination of a switch normally held acrossone of said ways in position to divert carriers therefrom into another way, supporting means forsaid switch permitting itto be moved out of said position by said carriers whereby they are allowed to continue along the first way, a

' lock for holding'said switch in said normal position, a controller arm in the path of travel of the carriers before theyreach said switch, means supporting said arm to tip up and down and to swing in a substantially horizontal plane whenstruck by acarrier, and connections between said arm and lock for utilizing one of said movements erate the lock. V

9. In a conveyer system having diverging ways for carriers, the combination of a switch normally held across one of said ways in position to divert carriers therefrom into another way, supporting means for said switch permitting it to be moved out of said position by said carriers whereby they are allowed to continue along the first way, a lock for holding said switch in said normal position, a controller .arm in the path of travelof the carriers before they reach said switch, meanssupporting said armto tip up and down and to swing in a substantially to ophorizontal' plane when struck by a carrier, connectlonsbetween said arm and lock for sition out of the path of travel of said carriers.

"10. In a conveyer system having diverging ways for carriers, the combination of a ways -in position to divert carriers therefrom mtoanothenway, supporting means for said. switch permittmg it to be moved out of said position by said carriers whereby they are allowed to continue along the first way, a lock for holding said switch in said normal 'position, a'controllcrarm in the path of travel of the carriers before they reach said upper, end' of which said arm is pivoted for .up 'and' down movement, means supporting said post to turn about its own axis, and connections between said lock and post whereby the turning movement of the post actuates said lock. I I

11. In a conveyer system, the combination of a main conveyer, for carriers, a branch conveyer diverging from said main conveyer, a switch normallylying across said main conveyer in position todivert carriers therefrom onto said branch conveyer, supporting means for said switch permitting it to be moved out of said position by the contact therewith of said carriers whereby the carriers are allowed to continue along said first conveyer, a lock for holding said switch in said normal position, a controller arm in the pathiof travel of said carriers'before they reach said switch, "and connections between said arm and lock for utilizing the movement of said arm bysaid carriers to operate said lock. I

' 12. In a'conveyer system, the combination of a main-conveyer for carriers, a branch conveyer diverging from said main conveyer, a switch normally lying across said main conveyer in position to divert carriers therefrom onto said branch conveyer, supporting means for said switch permitting it switch normally held across one of said switch, a substantially upright post on the 1 to be moved out of said position by the contact therewith of said carriers whereby the carriers are allowed to continue along said first conveyer, a lock for holding s id switch in said normal position, a contro ler arm in the pathof travel ofsaid carriers before they reach said switch, means supporting said arm for swinging movement when struck by one of said carriers, means for returning said arm to its initial position after it has been moved away from said pos1t1on-by a carrier, and connections be tween said arm and lock for utilizing the movement of said arm to operate the lock.

13 A conveyer system including a conveyer for carriers, a station comprising a track diverging from said conveyer, automatic means for switching-carriers into said station, and automatic mechanism for rendering said switching means inoperative to divert carriers into said station when the stationis full, said mechanism including a device arranged to be engaged by the bottom of a carrier that completes the fillingof said station.

14. In a conveyer system, the combination of a'main conveyer for carriers, a branch conveyer diverging from said main conveyer, a, switch for diverting carriers from said main conveyer on to said branch con- Veyer, controlling mechanism for said switch including a controller arm in the path of travel of said carriers before they reach said switch, supporting means for said arms permitting it to tip'up and down and .to swing in a substantially horizontal plane when struck by a carrier, a device arranged to be engaged by the bottom of a carrier on said branch conveyer,.'and connections between said device and said arm for moving the arm out of the path of travel of the carriers on said main conveyer, whereby when said device is actuated by a conveyer it will hold said arm in an inoperative position.

15. In a conveyer system, the combinatlon of a main conveyer for carriers, a branch conveyer diverging from said main conveyer, a switch normally lying across said main conveyer in position to divert carriers therefrom onto said branch conveyer, supporting means for said switch permitting it' to be moved out of said position by the c011- tact therewith of carriers whereby such carriers are allowed to continue along said first conveyer, a lock for holding said switch 'in said normal position to divert carriers into vthe branch track, and means for releasing the lock actuable by selected carriers on said main conveyer before they reach the switch.

16. Switch mechanism for use with a belt' conveyer having a substantially straight main track provided with a moving floor, and a branch track diverging from the main track, comprising a movable switch member arranged adjacent to the junction of said diverging track, means normally locking the switch member in position to divert carriers onto the branch track with the main track, and means actuable by a body approaching along the main track automatically to determine release or retention of said switch member by the locking means.

17 A conveyer having a main track a branch track, a switch bar normally extending across the main track in position to divert bodies approaching along such track into the branch track, and releasable'means acting upon the free extremity of the bar for positively holding it in such position, said bar, when released from said holding means, being movable from across the main track by direct contact of an approaching body therewith.

\18. A conveyer having a maintrack' and a branch track, a switch bar pivotally supported at one side of the main track and same, and releasable means acting upon the free extremity of the bar for holding the latter in such position, said bar being swingvnormally extending transverselyfacross the able into substantial parallelism vwith the 7 main track by impact of a body moving along the main track when such bar is released from the holdingmeans.

19. Switch mechanism for use in a con- V'eyer having a main track provided with a moving floor and a fixed track diverging from the main track comprising a movable switch member arranged adjacent 'to the junctionfof said diverging track with the main track and means comprising an ele-.

ment supported independently. of said switch member and actuable by a body approaching along the main track automatically to determine movement of said switch member by engagement therewith of such approaching body. i

- 20. Switch mechanism of the class de plane substantially parallel to the plane of the track, releasable latch means associated with the other end of said bar whereby normally to retain 'it in a position wherein it obstructs free passage of bodies along the track, and means engageable by an element of a body so moving for releasing such latch means.

22. In combination with a conveyer, a

"movable switch device, a retaining latch conducted, switching mechanism including therefor, and means for releasing the latch comprising a feeler carrying arm normally positioned across the path of a body moving along the conveyer but movableindepend 'ently of theswitch device out of such path.

23. Switch mechanism of the class described comprising a movable switch member a releasable latch for retaining-said member in normal position, a link'connected to said latch, a feeler member, and means for connecting said feeler member and link whereby to transmit movement from the former to the latter. i

24. In a conveyer system having diverging ways along which a series of carriers are a movable switch member normally in the path of travel of the carriersand operative through contact with certain of said cari 'riers to cause the switching of the latter carriers into one of said ways, but arranged to be moved by other carriers 1nto an inoperative position, and means comprising a movable element, supported independently of said switch member, for determining movement of the latter.

25. In a conveyor system having diverging ways for carriers, the combination of a switch normally in position to divert carriers from one of said ways into another, said switch being mounted to be moved out of said position by the carriers, means for locking said switch in its normal position, and mechanism for operating said locking means including a device supported inde pendently of said switch and arranged to be struck by the carriers before they reach said switch. V

' Bonner AMORY. 

